Seoul National Cemetery this month hosts a series of cultural events. Shown is the pond Hyeonchungcheon running through the cemetery in Seoul's Dongjak-gu District. (Seoul National Cemetery)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

Seoul National Cemetery in the capital's Dongjak-gu District this month will host cultural events for visitors to enjoy summer nights.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on June 14 said it will host the event "Amazing Cemetery with the People" at the cemetery.

With June being a month to honor those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, the first program is a concert by the KBS Symphony Orchestra on June 15 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War's armistice agreement. Next will be a children's musical on June 17, outdoor film screening and talk concert on June 24, and fashion show featuring military and Hanbok (traditional clothing) attire on June 30. 

To also commemorate the ministry's promotion to full-fledged ministry status, the concert will express gratitude and pay respects to patriots and people of national merit who helped shape today's Korea.

The performer lineup comprises the Republic of Korea Military Band, cellist Kim Jeong-A, gugak (traditional music) singer Park Ae-ri, soprano Im Sunhae and Pvt. Ong Seong-wu, a member of the K-pop boy band Wanna One who is doing his mandatory military service. 

On June 17, the children's musical "Robocar Poli" will be staged with cotton candy for 1,000 visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

On June 24, the Hollywood blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" will be screened outdoors where viewers will sit on mats, followed by a talk concert with TV celebrity Park Kyeongrim. A fashion show hosted by master Hanbok designer Kim Hyesoon will follow on June 30.

"Offering the people an experience with veterans through culture and creating culture from veterans will immediately raise the national prestige of the Republic of Korea," Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Minshik said. 

"To return Seoul National Cemetery to the arms of the people and recreate it into a space for the people to enjoy veteran culture, the Ministry of Patriot and Veterans Affairs will regularly host cultural events at the cemetery."

A government decision on June 5 transferred managerial and operational control of the cemetery to the ministry from the Ministry of National Defense, with the former entity to turn the venue into a space symbolizing a free Korea sought by the public in daily life.

dusrud21@korea.kr